Texas man shot and killed by Baxter County deputy

Suspect in tractor theft had extensive criminal record

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A Baxter County deputy was at this Lone Rock convenience store Tuesday evening shortly before confronting and fatally shooting a man allegedly armed with a crossbow who was driving a stolen tractor. The shooting occurred on the road seen to the left of the store.(Photo11: Josh Dooley/The Baxter Bulletin)Buy Photo

Gates went to the Lone Rock store at approximately 6:11 p.m. Monday night to take a theft report. While there, Gates was notified a stolen tractor was being driven down Baxter County Road 72, which is adjacent to the Lone Rock store.

Michael Holliman(Photo11: BCSO)

Gates drove down the road, found the tractor and pulled it over. He made a radio inquiry about the tractor that had been reported stolen earlier in the day.

Two minutes later, Gates got on the radio and told dispatchers shots had been fired and the suspect, Holliman, was down.

Montgomery said in a press release that Holliman was armed with a crossbow, there was a struggle between Holliman and the deputy who eventually shot Holliman.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene and the Arkansas State Police took the lead in the investigation, according to Montgomery.

Baxter County deputy Craig Gates(Photo11: BCSO)

As the investigation continued Tuesday, authorities found a "makeshift" campsite a short distance from where they found a disabled vehicle registered to Holliman.

At the campsite, authorities reportedly found food, clothing, a backpack and car keys, along with other items, according to the news release. The car was impounded and authorities have applied for a search warrant to enter the vehicle.

When authorities ran Holliman's name, they discovered he had a criminal history in Missouri, California, Iowa and Texas that included convictions for assault, armed robbery and grand theft, according to the news release.

Mountain Home police arrested Holliman in January on a DWI charge. During an inventory of the vehicle, officers reportedly found three loaded handguns and a disassembled shotgun.

They later applied for and received a warrant for Holliman's arrest on a felony charge of felon in possession of a firearm, according to the news release.

The incident remains under investigation, according to Montgomery who said Gates received minor injuries as a result of the incident and will take "a few" days off work before returning.